ABSTRACT

This chapter explores the role of the planning cycle in delivering institutional strategy in higher education. It draws on the authors' experiences as practitioners at various universities, set against reflections from key academic texts. The annual planning cycle is the route through which higher education institutions (HEIs) take their strategic intentions and translate them into targets, budgets and activities in order to make strategy happen. Politics in HEIs are exacerbated by multiple factors, including the tension between academic units and administrative departments; a commitment to collegiality and a strong dislike of what is often considered 'managerialism'; and strong resistance to change. Strategic planning has a critical role to play in providing much of the evidence, often marshalling the support of other professional services. The chapter outlines a number of elements of a robust planning process. It picks up the question of how to consider these contextual factors in shaping a planning process.